Mourning the one that was lost

Gene Canavan

Losing a pet is hard, even if you have several, and we have several. This particular one (Willie) started life in trouble, being injured by another animal. His right rear leg had to be amputated and he had spinal damage. But he lived for over three years until today when the injury complications finally got the best of him.

It was a sad day for us. But we are blessed with excellent vets who truly care. They helped us get through it. Couldn’t have asked for more.

Pets work off instinct, which puts them in a different world from us, their owners. How sensitive they are to us depends on what they are.

TV shows about dogs proves to me that dogs in particular can sense positive and negative issues between their owners, e.g., husband and wife. We are also firmly convinced that cats can sense when you are going to do something with them, like take them to the vet or give them medicine.

Pets that can go outside also take on a different demeanor when they go through the door. Cats in particular assume a fight or flight mode, regardless how tame they are inside. It’s amazing to see a purring, rubbing, butting cat turn into a “catch me if you can” beast.

The Bible has many stories about animals, but the one we emulate most is the shepherd and one lost sheep. Even with 100 sheep, the owner goes after the one that’s lost.

And so we mourn the one that was lost.

Gene Canavan is a retired West Point Graduate and Paper Mill Utilities Manager and lives in Prattville, Alabama, USA.